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| THE COLONY NEWS | DECEMBER 2025 | 9 Winter Landscape in e Colony: Especially for newcomers, I thought I would discuss what the winter landscape looks like in The Colony. While our season for plant dormancy isn't as long as in the North, we do have a dormant season… like, now. Front Lawns: This is when the front lawns with fescue shine (mostly homes on the west side of The Colony). The other lawns (east side) may be composed of Bermuda grass or Kikuyu or mixed with fescue. In any case, Bermuda and Kikuyu go dormant (look dead), causing a yellow, patchy look to the front lawn. We don't remove these "patches," because the grass is not dead. And one whole greenbelt (G19) is comprised of Buffalo grass, which goes dormant in the winter. Mowing changes to every two weeks from November 1 through March 31. I have covered why we don't convert all front lawns to Bermuda or Kikuyu (non-thirsty grasses) in previous articles. Trees: Those trees and bushes which are deciduous began shedding their leaves in November and this will continue for a while, causing leaf litter. Some have given a lovely show of autumn color (reds and yellows). Examples here are Sycamore, Crape Myrtle, Chinese Flame, Chinese Pistache, Jacaranda, Ornamental Pear, Ginkgo, Palo Verde, etc. The leaves are left on the ground until the maintenance rotation schedule comes up for that area, or during winter mowing of lawns. Fruit drop: The pineapple guava bushes in greenbelts are dropping their fruit, which signifies the fruit is ripe. This makes wonderful jam, and folks can take this fruit. If not harvested, it will be cleaned up by the maintenance crew. Winter color: It's the goal of the LAC to always to have something colorful showing in The Colony greenbelts, and we have been fairly successful except when Mother Nature temporarily throws us a curveball. Now is the time for the decorative berries! Pyracantha and Nandina(orange), and Toyon (red). The Euphorbia "Sticks on Fire" turn orange. Blossoms are on the Tecomaria capensis (Cape honeysuckle – orange red), and Grevilleas (pink, salmon). Depending on when we get a freeze, here and there might be some purple Mexican bush sage blossoms, Rose bushes, Bougainvillea, or Salvia (red – at Nutmeg entrance). In January- February, look for the white ornamental pear trees to bloom, especially on Via Siena, Camino Aspirante (Nutmeg Gate) and along the parking lot at the Clubhouse. And the Coral Aloes will be budding up (orange). LANDSCAPE ADVISORY By Jan Foster, 951-698-0170 The Production and Technology Advisory Committee (PTAC) is now providing services for most of the events that happen in the Auditorium. To that end, we need more help! To address that need we are announcing the PTAC Associates program. We cover and broadcast on YouTube all Board meetings and town halls and provide services to the Players group, the Choir, Actors Studio and concert events, as well as other programs. We are inviting all interested Colony residents to apply as PTAC associates; you will be trained and certified on the position of your choice. This will allow you to participate without having to be a voting member and attend the PTAC committee meetings. Possible positions include camera operator, audio, lighting, floor manager, graphics, editor and video switcher. We also have several open positions on the voting committee. If this opportunity interests you, please contact me, Greg Hill, at greg@neotechstudios.com. Production & Technology By Greg Hill

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